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BMW 3-Series Starting Problems

95 messages,  Last post on Mar 12, 2013 at 11:47 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 6 of 10

#48 of 95 Re: 325i starter problems [skyrgr] by roadburner

Mar 26, 2012 (10:49 am)

Replying to: skyrgr (Mar 26, 2012 1:24 am)
My intent is to put another starter on the vehicle and if this doesn't solve the problem then junk it. Any other suggestion from BMW expert would be appreciated.
 
DON'T start throwing parts at the problem. First, clean the battery terminals and clamps as well as the ground cables in the trunk as well as the engine grounds under the hood. Next, have the battery load tested. If the battery is good, find out how much current the car is drawing at rest- it should be 0.25 - 0.4 Amperes. If the radio is an aftermarket unit and the installer butchered the wiring harness all bets are off. Check to see if the glove box or trunk lights remain on, and inspect the wiring that goes to the trunk lid, they sometimes short due to insulation rubbing off.
If you can't perform this work yourself I STRONGLY recommend finding a shop that KNOWS BMWs. I've seen far too many people pay a mechanic their hard-earned money so that he can learn about BMWs...

#49 of 95 Re: 3-Series Starting Prob: Anti-Theft Device Issue? [mailbox20] by ophidian_pr1m3

Apr 12, 2012 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: mailbox20 (Jul 01, 2011 10:35 am)
Do you know how much the ECM cost by itself? I'm having the same problem with my 2004 325ci.... Had the problem a couple weeks ago but a new battery solved the problem. Now when I turn the key nothing happens???

#50 of 95 Misbehaving 318i by ornative

May 10, 2012 (3:26 pm)

My 318i started perfectly until last week when I got fuel, drove home (about 3-4 miles) and parked in garage. Next start attempt car cranks to speed but won't start. Checked fuel filter and changed on suspicion, but still no start. Checked fuse 11 for fuel pump and it is OK. Any ideas anyone?

#51 of 95 HELP-slow start by toppercat

Jun 13, 2012 (5:35 am)

I have a 2006 325i bmw-replaced battery because sometimes the car wouldn't start-had to be jumped-would be okay for a couple weeks and then wouldn't start. Now that battery is replaced-it starts but sometimes you aren't so sure. It starts slow. I am going to take it to my bmw dealership on Friday-but know nothing about repair work-could anyone give me advice on what the dealership might say and what might be cost? Any help greatly appreciated:)

#52 of 95 Re: HELP-slow start [toppercat] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Jun 13, 2012 (9:22 am)

Replying to: toppercat (Jun 13, 2012 5:35 am)
A known issue on BMWs--the dealer will probably perform an "energy diagnosis" to determine if there is some fault causing the battery to drain--for instance, the car could not be entering "sleep mode", or it could be constantly re-awakened out of, and back into, sleep mode.
 
The Technical Service bulletin on this issue is identified thusly:
 
SI B61 13 05
General Electrical Systems
April 2011
Technical Service
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 13 05 dated February 2011.
 
If you have some "non-approved accessory" installed on the car, the dealer might bring that up.

#53 of 95 new starter and new battery and still NO START by toppercat

Aug 05, 2012 (3:08 pm)

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 325I 06 long story short first replaced battery-by bmw dealership said that fixed problem then same problem went back then they said oh now it needs new starter-said fixed week later same problem-going back Tuesday-$1500.00 later-I am not wealthy-can't keep throwing money in this car-can any one help and tell me if the dealership should give me my money back???? How do I handle this with the dealership?????????? Any advice-sooooooooooo appreciated:)

#54 of 95 Re: HELP-slow start [Mr_Shiftright] by toppercat

Aug 05, 2012 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (Jun 13, 2012 9:22 am)
Thank you for your information-I have no after factory on my car and now I am having more problems-have posted the nightmare-if you can-I would love to hear your comment on my situation. Thank you again:)

#55 of 95 Re: new starter and new battery and still NO START [toppercat] by roadburner

Aug 06, 2012 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: toppercat (Aug 05, 2012 3:08 pm)
This is a dealer problem, not a car problem. You need to find a shop that will perform a systematic diagnosis and not merely throw parts at the problem. As for the dealer reimbursing you, I'd note that the battery may have been going bad, although the original batteries in my BMWs have always lasted for at least 7-8 years. As far as the starter goes, I'd be willing to bet the farm that it was not bad. I've owned 10 BMWs over the past thirty years and I have never-EVER had to replace a starter- and I've owned several past 130,000 miles.
I'd go to BIMRS.org and look for a good independent shop.

#56 of 95 Re: new starter and new battery and still NO START [roadburner] by toppercat

Aug 06, 2012 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Aug 06, 2012 1:56 pm)
Thank you roadburner-I am going to speak with the dealership tomorrow:)

#57 of 95 Re: new starter and new battery and still NO START [toppercat] by roadburner

Aug 07, 2012 (7:41 am)

Replying to: toppercat (Aug 06, 2012 5:43 pm)
Ask them to explain how they determined that the battery and starter were bad. They will either give you a deer in the headlights stare or els say something like, "It's all very complicated and technical, we hooked it up to our diagnostic computer and it told us what was wrong."- which is another way for an incompetent shop to say "We made our best guess and threw the likely parts at it.
One more thing, BMW charges less than $400 retail for a new starter, solenoid, and mounting screws. How do they account fot a $1100 labor charge?

Messages Page 6 of 10

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